‘Victory of students’
Shabana Azmi, Prakash Raj, Alia Bhatt, Zoya Akhtar and many others from the world of showbiz on Saturday hailed the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, calling it a victory for the students who have been relentlessly protesting over the NEET paper leak issue.
Pradhan resigned earlier in the day amid mounting pressure over alleged irregularities in the conduct of several competitive examinations. In his resignation letter, he said he was “disturbed” by the developments of the past 10 days and had submitted his resignation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Reacting to the minister’s resignation, Azmi told PTI, “So proud of our youth. I am truly humbled. Thank you for showing us that our Constitution is our greatest strength.”
Raj, who had also joined the protests at Jantar Mantar, shared a post on Instagram, congratulating his “dear cockroaches” as well as activist Sonam Wangchuk, who undertook a prolonged hunger strike in solidarity with the movement.
Alia Bhatt posted, ‘Gen Z showed up! The rest is history.’ Filmmakers Reema Kagti and Akhtar also reacted to the news of Pradhan’s resignation.
‘GEN Z… You are a tsunami of hope,’ Kagti posted.
Akhtar said, “Democracy is a system of government where power belongs to the people.”
Actor Priyanka Chopra Jonas also shared a news article announcing the union minister’s resignation on her Instagram Stories.
Vijay Varma shared a photograph of Pradhan on social media with the caption, “Accha chalta hoon… duaaon mein yaad rakhna,” quoting the popular song “Channa Mereya” from “Ae Dil Hai Mushkil”.
Comedian-writer Varun Grover congratulated the students and activists who led the movement.
Vir Das shared a photograph with the caption “Friends” and followed it up with a message applauding the students.
Huma Qureshi, who had also visited Jantar Mantar along with her brother Saqib Saleem, posted ‘Salute to the youth.’ Ishaan Khatter said it marks the victory of India and democracy.
Bhumi Pednekar congratulated Gen Z, saying their “conviction, courage, and belief in the power of change has inspired us”.
Abhishek Banerjee changed his display picture on social media and posted, “DP CHANGE HO GAYI!! A big congratulations to GEN-Z. Also a big reminder that United we stand, divided we fall!!” Saba Azad posted, ‘Chaatr ekta zindabad!!!” while Swara Bhasker described the development as a “Huge victory for students.’
Malayalam star Parvathy Thiruvothu shared a screenshot of Pradhan’s resignation letter and wrote, “Resigned!!!!”
Sonakshi Sinha, filmmaker Vikramaditya Motwane and Twinkle Khanna also shared posts on social media celebrating Pradhan’s resignation.
Sonakshi said in the video, “You have no idea what you have done today. I am an artist bro, but Gen Z is the art. I know I have taken you to so many places. But what is this? We get married, get tired, nothing happens. For that. Never again”.
“Salute. Salute. Look at me now. I want to be you. I want to be Gen Z. What the hell is that? Salute”, she added.
Priyanka Chopra Jonas reacted to a post about Pradhan’s resignation on her Instagram Stories. She used clapping, smiling and heart emojis to respond to the news.
Meanwhile, actor-politician Kamal Haasan spoke about the need for dialogue between the government and protesters. He said the current situation should lead to wider changes in the education and examination system.
Veteran actress and Alia Bhatt’s mother Soni Razdan shared her detailed opinion on the ongoing student protests.
The actress stated that while Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s tenure has brought significant reforms, accountability must still be demanded when institutions fail.
Shweta Tiwari asks CJP to seek Punjab education minister’s resignation
Actress Shweta Tiwari has reacted to the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. On Saturday, the actress took to the Stories section of her Instagram, and shared a video of CJP leader Abhijeet Dipke.
In the video, Dipke can be heard saying that now Dharmendra Pradhan has resigned, they can seek anyone’s resignation from the cabinet, who under-performs.
Responding to the same, the actress wrote, “Now, when is the Punjab Education Minister resigning? And when are you protesting there, Cockroach Janta Party?”.
Dharmendra Pradhan resigned on Saturday, after weeks of massive student protests and consistent people’s movement in the heart of the national capital.
The students sought his resignation over exam irregularities, particularly the NEET-UG paper leak.
His resignation comes after the brutal crackdown by Delhi Police against protestors at Jantar Mantar on July 20. The action by the cops flared up the entire nation, and angry citizens poured in huge numbers to support the students at Jantar Mantar. The protests also spread from Delhi to first the metro cities, and eventually small towns.
The protests intensified after Sonam Wangchuk was forcibly removed by Delhi Police from the protest site at Jantar Mantar in the early hours of July 18 after completing 21 days of an indefinite hunger strike. Authorities shifted him to a hospital, citing his deteriorating health, medical advice and compliance with a Delhi High Court order.
Sonam Wangchuk has been on a hunger strike demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged irregularities in competitive exams. (Agencies)
